VEGF Profile in Early Undifferentiated Arthritis Cohort

Background and Objectives: Early undifferentiated arthritis (UA) is a group of inflammatory joint diseases that are not classified under any specific rheumatic or connective tissue disorder and might evolve into chronic inflammatory arthritis or may be a self-limiting condition. Early recognition and treatment are crucial for the future course of the disease. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an angiogenic regulator that induces the growth of new capillary blood vessels, which are important in joint invasion and destruction during the progression of chronic inflammatory arthritis. The aim of this study was to assess VEGF levels associated with sociodemographic, clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound findings in the early UA patient cohort as well as to evaluate VEGF as a potential prognostic marker for arthritis outcomes. Materials and Methods: Seventy-six patients with inflammatory arthritis in at least one joint, with a duration of arthritis Results: VEGF levels had positive correlation with conventional rheumatic disease activity and diagnostic markers: erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C–reactive protein (CRP), and rheumatoid factor (RF) (p p = 0.024). A statistically higher number of patients whose VEGF levels were below the median value presented with active infection (p = 0.046). In patients with a higher number of swollen joints, and a higher score of synovitis and power doppler (PD) seen on US, VEGF levels were statistically significantly higher. Patients who after 12-month follow-up developed rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had statistically higher VEGF levels at baseline compared with those who developed spondyloarthropathies (p = 0.028). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that VEGF levels significantly represented inflammatory processes that were present in the joints (number of swollen joints, synovitis, and PD changes) of the early UA cohort

Physical inactivity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Data from twenty-one countries in a cross-sectional, international study

Objective. Regular physical activity is associated with decreased morbidity and mortality. Traditionally, patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been advised to limit physical exercise. We studied the prevalence of physical activity and associations with demographic and disease-related variables in patients with RA from 21 countries

The association of fatigue, comorbidity burden, disease activity, disability and gross domestic product in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Results from 34 countries participating in the Quest-RA program

The aim is to assess the prevalence of comorbidities and to further analyse to which degree fatigue can be explained by comorbidity burden, disease activity, disability and gross domestic product (GDP) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Bevezetés: Norbert Elias és a folyamatszociológia

2014 júniusában fontos konferencia került megrendezésre a Leicesteri Egyetemen Elias munkásságáról, amelynek apropóját az életművet bemutató összkiadás (Th e Collected Works of Norbert Elias) kötetsorozatának befejezése szolgáltatta. Az összkiadást a University College Dublin Press adta ki Stephen Mennell szerkesztésében [az ezzel kapcsolatos információkat lásd a hasznos oldalak között a kötet végén]. A konferencia főszervezői John Goodwin és Jason Hughes voltak, a szervezésben aktívan részt vett Plugor Réka, és – a mintegy kéttucatnyi országból érkezett konferencia-résztvevő között – jelen volt Hadas Miklós is. Itt merült föl annak ötlete, hogy elkészüljön ez a különszám